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ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING

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WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER

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Writing a Research Paper

This page lists some of the stages involved in writing a library-based
research paper.

Although this list suggests that there is a simple, linear process to writing such a paper,
(https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/)
the actual process of writing a research paper is often a messy and recursive one, so
please use this outline as a flexible guide.
Academic and Professional
Discovering, Narrowing, and Focusing a Researchable Topic Writing
(https://writing.wisc.edu/h
Try to find a topic that truly interests you
andbook/assignments/)
Try writing your way to a topic

Talk with your course instructor and classmates about your topic Expand all Collapse all

Pose your topic as a question to be answered or a problem to be solved Analysis Papers

Grant Proposals
Finding, Selecting, and Reading Sources
You will need to look at the following types of sources: Job Materials and Application
Essays
library catalog, periodical indexes, bibliographies, suggestions from your instructor
Proposals and Dissertations
primary vs. secondary sources
Research Papers
journals, books, other documents
Thank-You Notes

Grouping, Sequencing, and Documenting Information

Reviews
The following systems will help keep you organized:
Scientific Reports
a system for noting sources on bibliography cards
Writing for the Web
a system for organizing material according to its relative importance

a system for taking notes

Writing an Outline and a Prospectus for Yourself

Consider the following questions:

What is the topic?

Why is it significant?
 What background material is relevant?

What is my thesis or purpose statement?

What organizational plan will best support my purpose?

Writing the Introduction

In the introduction you will need to do the following things:

present relevant background or contextual material

define terms or concepts when necessary

explain the focus of the paper and your specific purpose

reveal your plan of organization

Writing the Body

Use your outline and prospectus as flexible guides

Build your essay around points you want to make (i.e., don’t let your sources
organize your paper)

Integrate your sources into your discussion

Summarize, analyze, explain, and evaluate published work rather than merely
reporting it

Move up and down the “ladder of abstraction” from generalization to varying levels
of detail back to generalization

Writing the Conclusion

If the argument or point of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize the
argument for your reader.

If prior to your conclusion you have not yet explained the significance of your
findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the end of your paper to add your
points up, to explain their significance.

Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic to the
context provided by the introduction.

Perhaps suggest what about this topic needs further research.

Revising the Final Draft

Check overall organization: logical flow of introduction, coherence and depth of
discussion in body, effectiveness of conclusion.

Paragraph level concerns: topic sentences, sequence of ideas within paragraphs,

use of details to support generalizations, summary sentences where necessary, use
of transitions within and between paragraphs.

Sentence level concerns: sentence structure, word choices, punctuation,

spelling.

Documentation: consistent use of one system, citation of all material not considered
common knowledge, appropriate use of endnotes or footnotes, accuracy of list of
works cited.
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CONTACT US

Writing Center

6171 Helen C White Hall

600 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53706

Email: wcenter@writing.wisc.edu (mailto:wcenter@writing.wisc.edu)
Phone: 608-263-1992 (tel:608-263-1992)

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